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Monthly Archives: August 2007

SUGGESTED MANTRA: COURAGE
Athena-inspired women know no fear, or that’s the face they present
to the world at least. Rest assured, you can be a tough, independent,
clever and resourceful woman, but do not be afraid to explore your
weaker side too.

SUGGESTED AFFIRMATIONS:
~ I am letting go
~ My mind is at peace
~ I am healthy and happy
~ I am welcoming peace
~ I allow myself to be quiet
~ I am at peace with myself
~ I feel absolutely supercharged
~ Today is my chance to be healthy
~ My vital energy resurfaces naturally
~ I enjoy the food that is good for me

Related essences: Patchouli, sandalwood, geranium, lavender

Related gemstones: Moonstone, lapis lazuli, dark aquamarine

Zeus’ favourite goddess Athena was the beautiful warrior queen who
stood guard over the ancient city of Athens. She was adopted as the
patron of the arts and craftspeople of Athens, and her brave
swordswomanship made her an inspiration to the military forces.
Athena’s grace and intelligence were underlying qualities to her
immense courage and strength.

If Athena is talking to you today, it is likely you are experiencing
moments when everything seems to be on top of you – but each time you
conquer another difficulty, you feel on top of the world. Ask
yourself why you are entering cycles of seemingly impossible tasks,
only to surmount them then search out more. The rush that
achievement brings provides you with an endorphin surge that is
addictive – you are compelled to seek out bigger and better
challenges to sustain your habit.

If this sounds familiar, you may be presenting a strong and
courageous face to the world, but really you’re drawing on your
strength rather than devoting time to explore your weaknesses. It’s
time to unclutter your life of all the issues dragging you down – the
lower you are dragged down the harder you have to fight to get back
on top. Do you really want to stay this exhausted?

Pick up your sword and declare battle against the clutter in your
life. There is as much satisfaction to be found in simplicity as
there is in resolving complexity. If you have clothes in your
wardrobe you haven’t worn in a year, give them away. If you have
books on your shelf that you know you are not going to read again,
pass them on. What junk is lurking in your drawers that you haven’t
used (or even laid eyes on)? Throw it out! Toss out sticky bottles
of who-knows-what at the back of your fridge – fill it instead with
fresh fruit, and top up with water ready for the Summer.

As Spring draws to a close and we look forward to Summer, clear your
immediate environment, and be boosted by how much lighter you feel!

Blessings on this fine machine,
May its data all be clean.
Let the files stay where they’re put,
Away from disk drives keep all soot.
From its screen shall come no whines,
Let in no spikes on power lines.
As oaks were sacred to the Druids,
Let not the keyboard suffer fluids.
Disk Full shall be nor more than rarity,
The memory shall not miss its parity.
From the modem shall come wonders,
Without line noise making blunders.
May it never catch a virus,
And all its software stay desirous.
Oh let the printer never jam,
And turn my output into spam.
I ask of Eris, noble queen,
Keep Murphy far from this machine.

The Hemp Agrimony, Eupatorium Cannabinum, belongs to the great Composite order of plants. It is a very handsome, tall-growing perennial, common on the banks of rivers, sides of ditches, at the base of cliffs on the seashore, and in other damp places in most parts of Britain, and throughout Europe.

——————————————————————————–
—-Description—The root-stock is woody and from it rises the erect round stems, growing from 2 to 5 feet high with short branches springing from the axils of the leaves, which are placed on it in pairs. The stems are reddish in colour, covered with downy hair and are woody below. They have a pleasant aromatic smell when cut.
The root-leaves are on long stalks, but the stem-leaves have only very short root-stalks. They are divided to their base into three, more rarely five, lance-shaped toothed lobes, the middle lobe much larger than the others, the general form of the leaf being similar to that of the Hemp (hence both the English name and the Latin specific name, deriven from cannabis, hemp). In small plants the leaves are sometimes undivided. They have a bitter taste, and their pungent smell is reminiscent of an umbelliferous rather than of a composite plant. All the leaves bear distinct, short hairs, and are sparingly sprinkled with small inconspicuous, resinous dots.

The plant blooms in late summer and autumn, the flower heads being arranged in crowded masses of a dull lilac colour at the top of the stem or branches. Each little composite head consists of about five or six florets. The corolla has five short teeth; though generally light purple or reddish lilac, it sometimes may be nearly white; it is covered with scattered resinous points. The anthers of the stamens are brown, and the very long style is white. The crown of hairs, or pappus, on the angled fruit is of a dirty white colour.

We sometimes find the plant called ‘St. John’s Herb,’ and on account of the hempen-shaped leaves, it was also formerly called, in some districts, ‘Holy Rope,’ being thus named after the rope with which the Saviour was bound.

—Constituents—The leaves contain a volatile oil, which acts on the kidneys, and likewise some tannin and a bitter chemical principle which will cut short the chill of intermittent fever.

—Medicinal Action and Uses—Alternative and febrifuge. Though now little used medicinally, herbalists recognize its cathartic, diuretic and anti-scorbutic properties, and consider it a good remedy for purifying the blood, either used by itself, or in combination with other herbs. A homoeopathic tincture is prepared, given in frequent small well-diluted doses with water, for influenza, or for a similar feverish chill, and a tea made with boiling water poured on the dry leaves will give prompt relief if taken hot at the onset of a bilious catarrh or of influenza.

In Holland it was used by the peasants for jaundice with swollen feet, and given as an alternative or purifier of the blood in the spring and against scurvy. The leaves have been used in infusion as a tonic, and in the fen districts where it prevails, such medicines are very necessary. Country people used to lay the leaves on bread, considering that they thus prevented it from becoming mouldy.

—Preparation—Fluid extract, 10 to 60 drops.

According to Withering, an infusion of a handful of the fresh herb acts as a strong purgative and emetic. Boerhaave, the famous Dutch physician (1668-1738), recommends an infusion of the plant for fomenting ulcers and putrid sores, and Tournefort (Materia Medica, 1708) affirmed that the fresh-gathered root, boiled in ale, purges briskly, but without producing any bad effects, and stated that there were many instances of its having cured dropsy.

It had also the reputation of being a good wound herb, whether bruised or made into an ointment with lard.

About Awehai: In Iroquois tradition, this goddess reigns in the sky and
the heavens, watching diligently over family life and the
community.Mythology tells us that Awehai grabbed seeds and animals as
she fell from heaven, landing on the back of a great turtle. From here,
Awehai scattered the seeds and freed the animals, resulting in a
growing, fertile Earth filled with beauty.

To Do Today: This festival takes place nearly in my backyard, having
been instituted by the Iroquois Indians of Tonawanda, New York. Here
people come to the longhouse to enjoy ritual dancing, chanting, and
the sounding of turtle-shell rattles, a symbol of Awehai. So, if you
know any type of traditional ritual dances or chants, consider
enacting them outside as you scatter grass seed to the wind. This will
manifest Awehai’s productivity in your life and in the Earth.

Another custom is simpler ads a lot of fun: consuming strawberries in as
many forms as possible. In Iroquois tradition, these pave the road to
heaven and eating them ensures you a long life and Awehai’s fertility.
Share strawberries with a loved one to inspire Awehai’s
community-oriented energy in your home, and consume fresh strawberries
to harvest her powers for personal growth.

from 365 Goddess – A Daily Guide of the Magick and Inspiration of the
Goddess
by Patricia Telesco

Goddess Meditation

The value of a worthy woman is far beyond pearls. She obtains wool and
flax and makes cloth with skillful hands. She rises while it is still
night, and distributes food to her household. She picks out a field to
purchase; out of her earrings she plants a vineyard. She is girt about
with strength, and sturdy are her arms. She enjoys the success of her
dealings; at night her lamp is undimmed. She puts her hands to the
distaff, and her fingers to ply the spindle. She reaches out her hands
to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy. She fears not the snow
for her household; everyone is warmly clothed; She makes her own
coverlets; fine linen and purple are her clothing. She is clothed with
strength and dignity, and she laughs at the days to come. She opens her
mouth in wisdom, and on her tongue is kindly counsel.
~ Proverbs 31:10-31

In the Christian calendar, this is the feast of a queenly woman,
Margaret. Born in Hungary, she became queen of Scotland, known for her
beneficence and gracious generosity. On her feast day, this raise-song
for womanly prudence and economy is read to the congregation. It recalls
how, in times past, the industry of women was clearly necessary to the
wealth of the family. A hard-working and careful woman made her family
comfortable – not through monetary exchange, but through her own visible
efforts.

Women’s efforts at sustaining hearth and home are less rewarded now.
When money is the measure of a task’s worth, unpaid labor is devalued
and even derided. Yet the sustaining tasks of homemaking – of making a
home – are still valuable and praiseworthy. On this day that
traditionally recognized women’s industry, let us lift our voices in
praise of our own work and that of others who make our lives possible.

from The Goddess Companion – Daily Meditations on the Feminine Spirit
by Patricia Monaghan

“I shall light a candle of understanding in thine heart, which shall not be put out.” ~ Book of Esdras

“The wish that all sentient beings who lack happiness be endowed with happiness is the state of mind called universal love, and the wish that sentient beings be free of suffering is called compassion.” ~ The Dalai Lama

Sometimes the world seems very dark. When you are away from the light it is easy to forget that somewhere the sun shines. The darkness of despair can seem impenetrable. We forget that as lighting a candle dispels the darkness, an act of love illuminates the soul.

Light and love seem to work on similar principles. Just as darkness ceases to exist in the presence of light, negative emotions like anger, hate, fear, and despair are dissolved in the presence of love. When you touch an unlit candle to a burning wick, the lighted candle shares it’s light and warmth without being diminished. When we share the love in our heart it warms those near us and kindles love in them as well. We lose nothing in the process, but are further brightened by their shining forth.

Love is pure. Like light, it can take on different hues, but real love contains no impurities. We can close our eyes to it or obscure it with the smoke of negativity, but like the light of a distant star it can reach across the vastness of space and time.

To perceive the light of universal love we must open the eyes of our soul. We can practice opening to the light and practice sharing our light with others.

Practice: Sit quietly. Allow your muscles to relax. Let your breathing come easily. Bring your attention to the area of your heart. Notice any sensations you may have there.

Notice any images that come to mind as you focus on your heart region. As sensations, images or thoughts arise just notice them and let them go. No need to cling to them. No need to analyze them. Just breathe calmly and relax. Imagine, in the center of your chest in the area of your heart, a small point of light.

Perhaps you will imagine this as the flame of a candle.

Focus on this light for as long as you like. Bring it into clear mental focus.

Imagine that this light in you is the light of love. This is pure love.

As a pure white light encompasses all colors, this love in you encompasses the full spectrum of love.

Notice any reluctance to experiencing light and love. Without self blaming, acknowledge the resistance and turn back to the image of a point of light. In your mind, open the curtains, lift the shades, disperse the smoke that may be hiding the light. Love and light seek to shine forth. Let them do what they do naturally.

Feel the warmth of this light. Imagine the light spreading through your body. Feel the warmth of compassionate love spreading through your body and spirit. Allow yourself to enjoy the beauty of light and love. Let the light grow stronger and brighter until you are filled with pure white light. Let the love in your heart expand in the light. Extend your loving kindness to yourself first. Allow love to penetrate all negative emotions that you may have accumulated. Let the love dissipate negativity. Let it shine through the sadness and hurt. Let your pain evaporate like a mist. Fill up with what is good. Flood your being with compassion.

When you’ve imagined yourself filled with light and love, notice how the light and love shine out from your being into the world. Let your love shine upon the people that are closest to you. Let it shine on the people you encounter in your comings and goings. Let it shine beyond the scope of your normal awareness. Let your love and your light expand to include all beings. Let your light and your love mix with the love in the hearts of all those other compassionate beings in the world who love and share their light.

As the light of each star in the sky shines on every other star, the light of all who love illumines each of us. Take comfort that even when you sleep, even when you forget yourself, universal love persists.

The sun does not go out when the world turns away from it. Love does not go out when we fail to experience it. Practice opening to your light, opening to your heart of loving kindness. As you go about your days and nights remember to shine upon those around you. Share your light. Share your love.

Blood Orange essential oil is one of the most exquisite scents. Blood Orange oil helps to reduce tension, anxiety and inspires one to open communication. It is also said that it will balance the throat chakra and allows us to ask ourselves and others for what we want. It may also benefit the heart chakra as it can help release pain and allows room for love to flow in and out.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, cream butter and then add sugar. Cream at high speed and add eggs, one at a time. Next, add vanilla and cream. Add half the milk, then half the dry ingredients, then the rest of the milk, then the rest of the dry ingredients. Mix after each addition, but just enough to wet dry ingredients. Mash 2 cups berries by hand and mix in the batter. Fold in the rest of the whole berries. Spoon batter into muffin pans. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes, and remove from the pan.

In a heavy saucepan, melt the glycerin soap over low heat until liquefied.
Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cinnamon oil and coloring until well mixed.
Pour the soap into a mold and let set for three hours or until hardened

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I love to share and all of the artwork on this blog is created by me, unless otherwise noted. I do ask that you do not copy or recreate any of the posted artwork here for contest submissions, publication, or profit. I will be extremely flattered if something here inspires you to create for your own personal use, but please give me credit and/or link to my blog. I appreciate your stopping by, and thanks for your understanding!